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Quercus cerris

Quercus cerris

Turkey Oak, Bitter Oak, Iron Oak, Austrian Oak

Description

Quercus cerris (Turkey oak) is a large, fast-growing tree found in Central and South-Eastern Europe. The Turkey oak is a prominent species in deciduous forests where it grows with, amongst others, Quercus frainetto, Fraxinus ornus and Euonymus europaeus. It largely dominates the canopy. Quercus cerris was first described by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. In its juvenile state, it has a conical crown. Mature, free-standing specimens may develop a more rounded crown. Quercus cerris can reach a height of 40 metres and develops a substantial trunk with a densely branched crown.

The dark green leaves of Quercus cerris are lanceolate with a deeply lobed edge and felty, grey underside. The warmer its site of origin, the more deeply lobed the leaves. The foliage turns yellow in autumn, later russet-brown and can stay on the tree until the spring, which is certainly the case with juvenile trees. The buds are covered with long scales, making it fairly easy to identify. The Turkey oak produces inconspicuous, green catkins in April or May at the same time as the first young leaves emerge. The acorns vary in quantity and shape but are mostly elliptical. The cup is covered with long scales and acorns do not ripen until the second year. The bark of the Turkey oak is dark grey, rough and peeling to a certain extent, as it ages.

This heat-loving oak is likely to become a more common sight in future in Northern Europe with a warming climate. As a fast-growing tree it also puts down a taproot which makes it an excellent choice for drier conditions; far more suited than Quercus robur and Quercus petraea. Unlike these oaks, it does not get mildew. Quercus cerris can cope with road salt and air pollution and is suitable for planting on acidic and alkaline soils; it will even grow on thin chalk soils. Because it grows rapidly on all types of soil, the Turkey oak is frequently used to counter erosion. It is a perfect tree for larger parks and road verges where there is plenty of space available for it to develop its true monumental character.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees shade trees characteristic trees woodland planting stock

Use

Location

avenue square park central reservation roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside ecological zone windbreak coastal area

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

eco planting landscape planting solid planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded pyramidal pyramidal

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

20 - 40 m

Width

10 - 20 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 9A

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds small mammals

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Quercus cerris? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

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Seasonal colours

Quercus cerris seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

catkins discrete

Flower colour

green

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside grey

Leaves

deciduous ovoid polished rough underside hairy dissected lobate

Autumn colour

yellow yellow-brown

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown green

Fruits

striking acorn

Bark

Bark colour

grey grey-black

Bark

peeling furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

olive green

Twigs

hairy long shoots

Root system

Root system

deep extensive

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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